Nix for PHP Devs, UX in Software Development & Be Boring: A guide for new devs

Hi 'Differs!

Just in time to coincide with the start of the new academic year, we hope you're ready to get learning! No need to bring your pencil case and scientific calculator though, just grab a FREE ticket and join us on Thursday 25th September at 6pm.

We have another three fabulous speakers to bring you, live and direct from Roku's Cardiff office. Thank you to them for their kind sponsorship and support that helps keep us all 'Diffing.

The Talks

Nix for Developers - Oliver Davies, Transport4Wales
Nix is a package manager with more than 120,000 packages, an operating system with more than 20,000 options, and a build tool for creating reproducible and reliable software that works the same for everyone, every time. In this talk, Oliver will explain what Nix is, show how to create development shells for PHP that mean you no longer need to use containers or virtual machines, and how to package PHP applications that are easy to deploy and distribute.

User Experience in Software Development - Meg Rolley, WJEC
Meg will be exploring how software design influences not only usability but also the psychological wellbeing of users and the environments in which they interact with technology. By considering emotional impact, accessibility, and the broader social and environmental contexts of use, her talk will highlight the importance of user centric design in creating meaningful, sustainable user experiences.

Be Boring: A guide to new devs - Ben Scattergood, SCTTRGD
Starting out, it’s easy to overcomplicate things; chasing new tech, ignoring fundamentals, or pushing too hard. Ben will share the mistakes he's made (and still makes) and why sometimes the best approach is to keep it simple, focus on what matters, and look after yourself. Less hype, more sustainability.

Agenda
18:00: Official start time — feel free to turn up a little beforehand and mingle!
18:20: Talks begin.
20:00 Official end — feel free to stay around and socialise. Come for the talks, stay for the pizza!

Unified Diff is brought to you by Bipsync. We thank the very generous Steve Cormie and Charlotte Jones of Roku for their hospitality and sponsorship of this event. We are also ably supported by Mark Brereton of Unify Talent who'll be on hand to discuss all your recruiting needs.

And if you'd like to follow the footsteps of Oliver, Meg, Ben, and the many who have gone before them, we need speakers for the next one! If you'd like to speak at a future event please let Heather or Craig know.

See you there!